Jesus Calms the Storm  -- Matthew 8:23-27

 Opening Questions
 

1. Summer is a prime fishing time. Do you like to fish?  Why?

2. Share a fishing story – about the big one that got away, fishing as a kid, falling out of the boat, using your favorite lure, etc. 

3. Have you seen the TV program “Deadliest Catch” about crab fishing in the Atlantic Ocean?  The April 3 season premiere of Catch lured 3.1 million viewers, a 30 percent increase over the previous season-two opener.  What makes the show so appealing?  What are the qualities of a good, successful Atlantic crab fisherman? 

4. We know for sure that Jesus’ disciples, Peter, James, John and Andrew were fishermen.  Philip may have been a fisherman as well.  They worked the Sea of Galilee and knew their trade well.  Do you think they were “fearless, tough guys” or just plain smart, careful, safety-conscious fishermen?

Digging Deeper

5. The disciples follow Jesus.  They get into a boat, on a very familiar lake.  What happens when they set sail with Jesus?  Was this storm a result of God’s anger over them? or just something that came up? or was this all planned out by God?  (see Mt 8:18)

6. How could Jesus sleep at a time like this? 

7. Why did the disciples turn to Jesus when the situation really got bad?  See Mt 8:3, 13, 16 Why were the disciples so afraid?  What does Jesus really want to see in the disciples?  See Mt 8:5-13 especially verse 10.

8. Did the disciples do the right thing when they woke Jesus up?  (see Psalm 50:15, Psalm 86:5-7, Psalm 141:1, 8)  Why?

9. How did Jesus answer their prayer?  Why did Jesus answer their prayer the way he did? 

10. Read Psalm 107:23-32   How does this Psalm mirror what happened to the disciples?  What was Jesus teaching them? 

11. Do you think the disciples immediately figured out who Jesus was or did it take some time?  (vs. 27)  Do you think this event immediately strengthened their faith in him?

 
 Application

12. Have you ever been in a situation where you could have died and had no resources to help yourself?  What was that like?  Did you call on Jesus at the time?  Did you even know he could help you? 

13. The followers of Jesus, those who know him and who do his will, sometimes have the storms hit them without warning.  How has the lake of life been for you?  Smooth sailing, fun, choppy, bad and getting worse, or bad and getting better?   What is your prayer right now?  Does the Lord still seem to be sleeping or is he answering your prayer?   How do you think the Lord can help you in the situation? 

14. Read Psalm 50:15 again.  What are we to do when trouble comes?  What is God’s responsibility?  How can I bring God greater honor in my life?

15. Jesus made their little faith become big. Eventually the disciples did die (they were martyred) because they followed Jesus. Do you think their prayer at the end of a lifetime of serving Jesus was different than the prayer they prayed in the boat?